Mechanical Engineering Technology at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Wichita, KS · Public · Certificate · Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians

with a smaller student body of 2,778 in Wichita, KS.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,427/yr fall 51% below the $43,886 national median for Mechanical Engineering Technology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 59.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 40% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates.

At $4,750 in median debt against $21,427 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #20 out of 22 programs, Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology's financial outcomes for Mechanical Engineering Technology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $21,427 to $42,373 over five years (98% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

With 49 registered apprenticeships mapped to Mechanical Engineering Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
46
Score
48
High End
Earnings $21,427/yr (-51% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (87,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$376K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
62.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,018
Out-of-state: $6,928
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,750
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,373
98% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians $79,830 +8.1% 68%
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390 +1.5% 76%
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians $70,760 +1.1% 58%
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians
$79,830
+8.1% growth 68% AI-proof
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
$77,390
+1.5% growth 76% AI-proof
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians
$70,760
+1.1% growth 58% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

Mechanical Engineering Technology Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Mechanical Engineering Technology careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering engineering & technology.

Read the full Mechanical Engineering Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Mechanical Engineering Technology Overview

Mechanical Engineering Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology's Mechanical Engineering Technology program score?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Mechanical Engineering Technology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How affordable is Mechanical Engineering Technology at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology?
Median debt of just $4,750 against $21,427/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology a good choice for Mechanical Engineering Technology despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Mechanical Engineering Technology?
There are 49 registered apprenticeships connected to Mechanical Engineering Technology occupations, such as Additive 3D Printing Technician and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Auto Serv). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How sensitive is Mechanical Engineering Technology to AI disruption?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Mechanical Engineering Technology are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
How many job openings are there for Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates?
The career paths mapped to Mechanical Engineering Technology have roughly 87,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →